This adorable Skull stick pin was made in Victorian Britain at the tail end of the Memento Mori movement. Literally translated from Latin, Memento Mori means ‘remember that you have to die.” Unlike the mourning jewelry that was depressing and dark, Memento Mori pieces were more light hearted and were intended to remind the wearer to live life to the fullest, since they could pass at any moment. These Skull motifs were popular in jewelry, but also other areas of art and design, from the 1600s through the Victorian late 1800s. This piece is crafted of a cast silver Skull, covered in a white enamel (showing some signs of wear), and then set with Rubies in the eyes. The Skull measures just under 1/2 inch top to bottom. While this would have been originally worn as a pin in a hat or cravat, these pieces are often repurposed by collectors into pendants or rings- contact us for details.

Details: 15k yellow gold and silver Skull pin with .20ctw Ruby accents; Memento Mori, circa 1860. In British box of the same period, likely from the store that originally retailed this pin.

This pin has sold. Please contact us to create something similar.